Floriana move seven points clear after Old Firm derby win

FLORIANA 2
Grech 14 pen., Mendonca 40

SLIEMA WANDERERS 1
Prsa 67

FLORIANA
G. Cioletti; L. Lopez, J. Grech, F. Varela, Z. Scerri (83 G. Gamarra), D. Vella, K. Mabea, O. Spiteri, M. Jah (71 R. Areias), C. Teixeira (71 A. Garzia), I. Mendonca.

SLIEMA
A. Emeka (46 R. Al Tumi); J, Borg, N. Frendo, A. Magri Overend (46 S. Bah), V. Plut (86 K. Nwoko), R. Prsa, G. Alcino, Wescley, Thiaguinho, Fernandinho (90 L. Montebello), M. Baggio.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Yellow Cards: Alcino, Scerri, Lopez, Plut, Mendonca.

Red card: Alcino 37 (Sliema).

Leaders Floriana moved seven points clear as they scored twice in the first half to beat ten-man Sliema Wanderers 2-1.

This win, in fact, puts Daniel Portela’s side on 32 points, seven ahead of Ħamrun Spartans, Valletta and Sliema, although the Spartans have a game in hand.

For the Wanderers, this was a disappointing result as they were hoping to build on last week’s win but after conceding a penalty early in the game, having a player sent off definitely disrupted their plans.

The Greens had one change from the team which defeated Birkirkara as Mustapha Jah was back in the starting line-up, replacing the unavailable Mattia Veselji.

Sliema, Neil Frendo and Vito Plut were handed a start as they lacked Murilo Freire who was serving a suspension with Kyrian Nwoko being included as a substitute.

Floriana managed to take the lead on 14 minutes. Referee Matthew De Gabriele awarded the Greens a penalty after Gustavo Alcino floored Mustapha Jah down inside the area and from the penalty spot, Jake Grech made no mistake.

To make matters worse for Sliema, Gustavo Alcino received a second yellow card eight minutes from the end of the first half and was therefore sent off, leaving his side in ten men.

The Greens took full advantage, doubling the score on 40 minutes. Mustapha Jah provided the pass from the right, Fede Varela’s first attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Agu Kelvin Emeka and Iago Mendonca placed the ball at the back of the net off the rebound.

For the second half, Sliema coach Paul Zammit replaced Agu Kelvin Emeka with Rashed Al Tumi and Adam Magri Overend with Sulahmana Bah and on 49 minutes, Bah went close with a lob from close range off an inviting cross by Wescley from the right.

Kouya Mabea exchanged the ball with Jah on the left before having a close-range effort blocked by Al Tumi into a corner on 56 minutes and just over a minute later, in a swift counter break for the Wanderers, Thiaguinho advanced on the left before hitting just wide with a diagonal shot from inside the area.

Sliema pulled one back on 67 minutes. Wescley provided the assist from the right and Roko Prsa slotted the ball past goalkeeper Cioletti from close range. Fernandinho had a shot from outside the area parried by the Floriana goalkeeper and six minutes from time, Roko Prsa tested Cioletti with a long-distance free kick.

However, Floriana held on well to maintain the narrow lead and take home the three points.